The Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB) has protested the continued detention of its members in various
detention facilities across the country as a result what it referred to as,
‘long and indiscriminate adjournment’ of matters against its members.

The protest came after
Wednesday’s adjournment of a matter instituted against its leader, Mr Nnamdi
Kanu, and two other members before the Justice Binta Nyako Federal High Court
in Abuja.

A press statement signed by the
Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr Emma Powerful in Awka, stated that no cruel judicial system in the world would
sanction the detention of people, who are still regarded by the law as innocent
until proven guilty, for upwards of three years without trial.

Powerful said, “This is the
second long adjournment in as many months by Binta Nyako’s court without any
regard for the welfare of those locked up as a result of this case. It does
appear that the prosecution has run out of options and are only clutching at
the straw of delay tactics as a way of inflicting punishment on innocent
Biafrans whose only crime is asking for a referendum for Biafra.

Recall that while Nnamdi Kanu was
released on bail in April this year, his co-accused; David Nwawuisi and Benjamin
Madubugwu were left behind in Kuje Prison.

IPOB said that while Nwawuisi has
spent almost three years in jail for no reason other than the fact that he
identified with the cause of Biafra independence championed by IPOB, Madubugwu
has been locked up in DSS dungeon and Kuje prison for over two years without
formal commencement of his trial.

IPOB also listed some other
members who have been in various detention centres to include, Bright Chimezie
Ishinwa who is still being held by “DSS Director General, Lawal Daura despite
repeated pronouncements by a Federal High Court to release him unconditionally
with compensatory payment of N5million for illegal detention”, and Chidiebere
Onwudiwe too.

The group said, “In total
disregard for the rule of law and judicial pronouncements, Ishinwa is still
languishing in underground DSS detention facility in Abuja. Since the DSS will
not obey court order to release him or attend court to hear the case involving
Benjamin Madubugwu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe and David Nwawuisi, why are they still
holding them in detention?

“All men and women of good
conscience must ask serious questions regarding the operations of the legal
system in Nigeria and how undemocratic it is for a government to throw people
with different opinions in jail indefinitely without proper trial.

“How is it expected that Bright
Chimezie Ishinwa, Benjamin Madubugwu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe and David Nwawuisi
will obtain justice when rulings are not obeyed and court sessions are
adjourned recklessly without regard for the welfare of the victims of this
lopsided judicial system.

“The onus is on the Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court and other well meaning legal luminaries to prevail upon
the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and DSS to obey
court judgements and respect court processes.”

The group further stated that the
incessant adjournment only meant that the federal government does not have
enough evidence that will stand effective scrutiny to nail the accused persons,
and prefers to use adjournments to delay their freedom.

It advised the federal government
to rather withdraw the case as further delay would not deter the group and its
members from legitimately demanding the sovereignty of the nation of Biafra.